Adrenal Fatigue is a stress-related condition that results in symptoms like exhaustion, weakened immunity, sleep disturbances, and food cravings. The adrenal glands and HPA axis become depleted and dysregulated after a long period of emotional stress or chronic illness. In the later stages of Adrenal Fatigue, your adrenals become depleted and unable to produce enough of the hormones that you need. This means that your levels of cortisol, along with neurotransmitters like adrenaline and norepinephrine, are generally lower than they should be.
Lifestyle Recommendations:
• Prioritize stress management techniques such as massage, deep breathing, meditation, laughter and journaling to better cope with stress • Prioritize good sleep habits; avoid TV and computers screens, cell phones and nightlights 1-2 hours prior to bedtime • Avoid strenuous exercise especially in the evening; only light exercise during the day such as walking, restorative or Hatha yoga, or tai chi • Practice self-care; avoid taking on extra responsibilities and problems • Seek necessary support for psychological stress from family, friends, or counselors
Dietary Tips and Caveats:
• Taper off and eliminate stimulants such as caffeine in energy drinks, coffee and chocolate • Determine food sensitivities such as gluten and dairy, and eliminate these dietary stressors • Add sea salts, such as Celtic or Himalayan, to diet • Eat high quality protein, good fats and whole foods at each meal, especially organic vegetables, to support the adrenals • Reduce or eliminate alcoholic beverages.
Can Neurofeedback Help?
Given the role of the brain in the stress response process, and the influence it exerts on many of the factors that lead to fatigue, yes, Neurofeedback can help. Neurofeedback is designed to help the brain learn how to engage in normal self-regulation again. That re-education can help to restore the natural circadian rhythm that adrenal fatigue destroys - which can in turn improve the quality of the patient’s sleep cycle and restore much of that lost energy.
Can Chiropractic Care Help?
Stress in the form of physical, chemical or mental / emotional stress can cause a subluxation, or the spine to misalign, and put pressure on the nerves. When this occurs at the T11-L2 area of the spine where the nerves exit and supply the adrenal glands, the adrenal glands don’t function well and adrenal fatigue can occur. Also, subluxations that occur in the cervical spine (neck area of the spine), especially the upper cervical spine can have a huge impact on our bodies ability to adapt to stress. The nerves in this area go back up towards areas of our brains that help our immune system function, control sleep patterns, process emotions, react to stressful situations, and think clearly. If the neck is subluxated, this can cause the body to not adapt well to stress making the adrenal glands' job more difficult and taxing.
Chiropractors remove these subluxations or interference in the nervous system to restore proper nerve function, and help your adrenal glands perform optimally.